So I watch a lot of motorcycle racing. I have noticed something that doesn't matter to any of you. American riders usually start in the dirt, European and Japanese riders usually ride on pavement from the beginning. The American riders that get to the top level of competition usually have a few years in motocross, enduro and most importantly flat tracking. Motorcycle racetracks have huge runoff areas designed to slow the riders down before they hit the walls. These runoffs are usually a deep, soft gravel that isn't too much unlike kitty litter. When will I ever get to the point? The American riders seem to fall off much less often when they find themselves in the gravel. They seem to still think they can controll their bike at 120mph through the gravel so they stay on the throttle. When this doesn't work, they have usually maintained enough momentum to actually reach the exterior wall(read: fireball). I think that its pretty rare that you see a Japanese or Euro rider hit the wall because they rarely try to salvage the crash as much as the American; they come to a stop long before(on their side).
Motorcycle racing might be the most culturally equal sport in the world. and don't give me that "what about soccer" crap. If you look at the nationality of the racers in the top ten, its almost always from at least seven different countries.
63 Years of Memories....
63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.
There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.
Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!
How do you thank a place for memories?
2 comments:
Perhaps I need to watch more of those videos to understand your post. Are you saying that US riders self destruct on the wall more than other nationalities? If that's the case, a 'culturally equal sport' seems a bit of a misnomer. And, you're right, fuggedabowd soccer!
I am saying that the American riders don't give up and ditch their bikes when they hit the gravel, they try and ride it out.
On an unrelated note, the culturally equal thing is that each nation has as good of a chance of winning as any other. They are on the most even playing field of any sport.
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